PS 1842 
.H8 
Copy 1 




Th. 



Punishment of Dir ce. 



"DRAMA IN SIX ACTS. 



BY 



MAGDALENA HAUSER 



The 

Punishment of Dirce 



"DRAMA IN SIX ACTS. 



BY 

MAGDALENA HAUSER 



21755 






Library of Congres, 

Two Copies Receivec 
JUL 18 1900 

Copyright entry 

SECOND COPY. 

Oeliverod to 

ORDER DIVISION , 

JUL 19 1900 



65326 



Entered according: to Act of Congrress in the year 1900, 

By MAGDALENA HAUSER, 

In the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington, D. C. 



Cast of Characters. 

Kydeiis King of Thebes. 

Epopetts King of Sicyon. 

Lycus Brother of King Nycteus. 

AmpMom and Zethus The Twin Sons. 

Daniel - The Shepherd. 

j-^g^ One of Nycteus' Guards. 

Jq}^^i One of Epopeus' Guards. 

jr^c^ One of Lycus' Guards. 

Antiope Daughter of King Nycteus. 

Mary The Maid. 

Martha The Sliepherd's Wife. 

])irce ~~ Wife of Lycus. 

Soldiers and Guards. 
Scenes Laid in Grecian Origin. 



THE PUNISHMENT OF DIRGE. 



DRAMA IN SIX ACTS. 



ACT 1.— Palace of King Nycteus. 
SCENE 1.— Mary, the Maid, is cleaning up the room 

AND LOOKING VERY UNEASY. 

Mary. I wonder what's keeping Miss Antiope so late this 
morning. I've been looking all over for her and can't find her. 
I've something terrible to tell her. (Going over to the side 
door she opens it and calls aloud) : 



4 A Drama. 

Mary. Oh, Miss Antiope, Miss Autiope. (She gets no 
answer.) 

Mary. I wish she'd come before that old witch of an aunt 
of hers comes. (G-^ing to the door again and calling.) 

Mari/. Oh — Miss Antiope. 

Antiope. (Enters) Well — Mary what in the world is the 
matter? 

Mary. {Quite excited) Oh ! Miss Antiope, I've something 
terrible to tell yon, but you must first promise me not to tell 
any one who told you. 

Antiope. All right, Mary, I'll promise you never to tell. 
Now come on, Mary, sit right down here by me and tell me all 
you know. 

Mary. Well, you know. Miss Antiope, this morning when 
I was in the back room cleaning up, I heard your name men- 
tioned; I looked out of the window, I saw your father speak- 
ing with a man. 

Antiope. (Quite surprised said) : And what did you hear 
them say? 

Mary. I listened and heard your father say that he was 
going to make you marry him, and that he was going to speak 
to you himself to-day and fix everything all right. 

Antiope. (Greatly surprised). I can't believe it. 

Mary. (Rising from her seat she exclaimed) : Well, that's 
what I heard him say; you'll believe me when he speaks to 
you himself to-day. Well, I must be going before any one 
comes and sees meJiere (she then goes off). 

Antiope. (All alone weeping and speaking to herself.) Is 
it possible that my father will be so mean to me? I can't, 
and will not believe it. 

Enters Mary. 

Mary. Miss Antiope, here's a note for you. 

(Antiope open it and reads. A bright look comes to her 
face.) 

Antiope. Mary, ask him in, and be careful no one sees 
him. 

Mary. Yes, ma'm. (She then goes off and comes back 
bringing with her Epopeus ; showing him the way into the 
room, she then goes off.) 

Antiope. Oh, Epopeus, I'm so glad you come. 



The Punishment of Dirce. 5 

Epopeiis. (Puttins: his arins around her exclaims:) Why, 
Antiope, my darling, you have been weeping 5 what has hap- 
pened to you! 

Antiope. Oh, Epopeus, Pm so glad you've come. I know 
not what to do ; some one told me that my father has arranged 
every thing for me to be married tomorrow; if it be so, I'd 
rather die than marry a man I do not love. 

Epopeu!?. Antiope, my darling, I can't believe it. 

Antiope. But if it be so what shall I do? 

Epopeus. Antiope, my darling, if anything like that should 
happen, write to me and let me know at once, and PU come 
that very night and take you away with uie to Sicyon and 
marry you and make you happy. Antiope, my darling, I 
must be going before anyone comes and sees me; but Anti- 
ope, my darling, before I go you nmst promise me that you'll 
send me word at once. 

Antiope. Yes, I will, bat you must promise me that you'll 
not fail. 

Epopeus. Fear not, my darling; be ready when the bell 
in the courtyard strikes the midnight hour, PU be there. 
Antiope, my darling, good-by. 

(He then kisses her good-by and goes off.) 

Antiope (all alone and weeping). I can't believe that 
my father would be so cruel as to make me marry a man I do 
not know. 

(Enters Dirce. IShe is surprised to see Antiope weeping; 
she walks over to where Antiope is seated. Placing her 
hand on her shoulders, she exclaims:) Antiope, my child, 
why do you weep! 

Antiope. (Rising from her seat exclaims:) Aunty — 
Aunty, what shall 1 do — what shall I do ! (She starts to 
weep.) 

Dirce. Well, tell me what the trouble is, and then perhaps 
I can tell you what to do. 

Antiope. Oh, aunty, some one told me this morning that 
my father has chosen for me a husband, a man I do not know. 
Pray, aunty, tell me what shall I do, what shall I dof 

Dirce (In a scornful way) : Well, I don't see the use of 
your crying and making a fool of yourself at all. He's your 
father's choice, and I think its your duty as a daughter to 
obey him. 

Antiope. Well, aunty, that I'll never do. 



- 6 A Drama. 

Birce. Well, if I was your father I'd make you marry 
him. 

Antiope (In a very harsh manner) : Well, aunty, let me 
tell you one thing. I don't care what you or my father says^ 
I'm determined, come what may, I will and shall not marry 
that man; if I can't have my choice in selecting a husband 
I'll remain an old maid, I'll marry nobody. 

Dirce. (Utters a scornful laugh) : Ha— Ha — You remain 
an old maid ! Well, if I was your father I'd make you marry 
him ; I'd lock you up on dry bread and water, and punish 
you until you would consent. (She then leaves the room.) 

Antiope (alone). I know not what to do. I loveEpopeus, 
yet I dare not tell my father. Well, if he comes to speak to 
me to-day, I'll just tell him that if I can't have my choice in 
selecting a husband I'll marry nobody. (She then leaves the 
room.) 

Nycteus. (Her father is then heard speaking on the out- 
side). Very well, I'll see my daughter to-day and tell her 
all about it, I suppose everything will be all right ; good-by 
(he then enters through the door, he sits down on the chair 
by the table, tapping the bell for the servant to come). 

(Enters Mary.) 

Nycteus. Mary, where is Antiope! 

Mary. I don't know, but I'll go see if I can find her. 

(She then goes off.) 

(Enters Dirce.) 

Well, Nycteus, have you spoken to Antiope yet? What does 
she say? 

Nycteus. No, I've not spoken to her yet, but I'm most 
certain she will consent. 

Dirce. Well, I'm not. (She then goes off.) 

(Enters Antiope.) 

Papa, have you sent for me? (Smoothing her hand over 
his head.) 

JVycteiis. Yes, my child, I've sent for you to ask you a 
very important question. 

Antiope. (Kneeling down beside her father, looking very 
anxious, exclaimed) : What is it, father? 



The Punishment of Dirce. 7 

Nydeus. Antiope, my child, I've selected for you a 
husband. 

Antiope. (Quite surprised.) A husband? 

N'l/cteiis. Yes ; one of the greatest of kin^s ; he asked me 
for your hand, and I told him yes; now, Antiope, my child, 
your answer, and you shall be the happiest woman in the 
world. 

Antiope. (Rising to her feet.) 

Nay — nay, father; I will not marry him. I do not know 
him, and will never marry him. 

Nydeus. Antiope, my child, you speak too fast, for as far 
as your marrying him, I'm determined to make you. 

Antiope. (Becomes very angry.) Make me you never will. 
When I get ready to marry I intend marrying a man of my 
choice or I'll marry nobody. 

Kycteiis. (Becomes very angry.) Very well, Antiope, my 
child, I'll leave you a chance until to-morrow to make up 
your mind. If it be still no I'll lock you up on bread and 
water until you do make up your mind to obey me. (He then 
goes off.) 

Antiope. (Alone.) Oh, how could my father be so mean to 
me? What shall I do! What shall I do! Ah! I have an 
idea. I'll go to my room and write to Epopeus and tell him 
all about it, aud tell him to come to-night to my window and 
take me away. 

(She then goes to her room.) 

(Enter Nycteus, Dirce and Two Guards.) 

Dirce. Well, if I were you I'd make* her marry him. 

Nydeus. Oh, I'll make her marry him if it costs my life. 
(He then knocks on her door and calls her.) Antiope, 
Antiope ; where are you? 

Antiope. All right, papa, I'm coming. (She opens the 
door and comes out.) What is it, papa? 

Nyctexis. Antiope, I come for your answer. 

Antiope. Father, my answer is no. 

Nydeus (Pointing to his men, he exclaims :) Seize her, 
bind her hands and lock her up. 

Antiope. (Then exclaims :) 

Father, you can lock me up, do with me what you please, 
marry that man I never will (she is then seized and locked 
up). 

End of Act 1. 



8 A Drama. 

ACT 2. 

SCENE 1. The Elopement. 
SCENE 2. Antiope's Gone. 
SCENE 3. Lycus Takes His Oath. 
Scene First— Tableau. 
Snow Scene. The Elopement. 

Curtain rises, showing where Epopeus comes in the night 
and takes her away. The turret clock in the court yard is 
striking the midnight hour. Autiope goes to her window 
and looks out. (jEJ^)o^;eHS sees her and calls softly : Antiope, 
Antiope). 

Antiope. (Looks down and, in a broken-hearted voice, ex- 
claims) : Epopeus, my darling, I cannot come; my hands are 
tied. 

Epopeus. (Is shocked). What, was it not enough for him 
to lock you up without tying your hands? (He secures a 
ladder, hastens up, unties her hands and helps her out of the 
window; she gets safely down the ladder to the ground. 

Epopeus. (Putting his arms around her, exclaims:) In 
spite of Nycteus and Dirce, Antiope will be mine — yes, mine 
forever. 

(Curtain drops for 5 minutes). 

Scene Second — Antiope Gone. 

Mryj enters through a side door with Joe, one of the king's 
guards. In her hand she carries a tray with Antiope's 
breakfast, bread and water. 

Mary. Well, I never knew of kings being so mean. 

Joe. Youdidn'tf well, I saw worse than that. 

Mary. Well, all I've got to say is that he's nobody. I 
don't respect him at all, even if he is a king. I only wish I 
was in Miss Antiope's place; I'd show him what I'd do; he 
would not have the honor of having me locked up very long. 

Joe. Well, what would you do! 

Mary. What would I do? I'd run away, that's what I'd 
do. 

Jot. Now, how could you run away if you were locked up 
in that room (pointing to the room) and you couldn't open 
the door? 

3Iary. (Gets angry.) Just like you, you always think you 



The Punishment of Dirce. 9 

so smart and you don't know nothing ; now you want to know 
how I'd ^et out! 

Joe. Yes. 

Mary. I'd get out through the window. 

Joe. (Surprised.) Through the window? 

Mary. Yes. 

Joe. Well, I don't see how you could ever manage to get 
out of that window (pointing up to the window), 

Mary. Well, I'll tell you ; you know what I'd do! I'd take 
my sheet, tie it to the shutter, and then I'd get on the win- 
dow-sill, grab hold of the sheet and let myself down. 

Joe. (Shaking his head). A very good idea, indeed, 
(aside) I'll have to tell the king to keep his eye on her. 

Mary. (Picking up the tray from the table.) Come on. 
Joe, open the door. 

Joe. (Opens the door.) 

Mary. (Hesitates. She then exclaims:) Joe, I'd rather 
take a hundred lashes than to offer Antiope this (pointiog 
to the tray ) . 

Joe. It is the punishment given to her by her father, the 
king, for her disobedience to him, and I'm sent here with 
you hj him to see that you do as you were told to (pointing 
to the door, he exclaims:) Go 

Mary. (Enters the room, she looks around quite surprised ; 
she then exclaims :) 

Joe— Joe — Antiope' s gone ! 

Joe. What! Antiope's gone! 

Mary. Yes, gone; go hasten to the king and tell him 
Antiope is gone. 

(Joe goes off. ) 

Mary. (Looks around the room ; on the table she finds a 
note, and reads aloud:) Dear Father — I've eloped with 
Epopeus, the king of Sicyon. I would not have done this 
had you acted to me as a father should have acted to his only 
child. - ' 

Mary. (Aside.) Well, I don't blame her. 

(Enters Nycteus, horrified.) 

What! my daughter gone! 

Mary. Yes, gone. Here's a note I found on the table. 
N'yctetis. (Takes the note and reads. Trembling with hor- 
ror, he exclaims :) What! my daughter eloped — gone! (jrone 



10 A Drama. 

with Bpopeus, the kin^ of Sicyon ; one whom I have despised 
from the first time I saw him. Oh, my daughter gone ! Re- 
venge ! Revenge ! May all the curses of hell fall on him ! 
Antiope, my only child, whom I had always thought would 
be one of the greatest of queens. Oh, curses, curses be on 
you both ! 

(He then falls in convulsions on the floor. Mary and Joe 
pick him up and put him in the chair, his head bent on his 
breast.) 

Mary. • (Takes a glass of water from the tray. She gives 
him a drink.) 

(Nycteus raises his head, his eyes turned upward.) 

Mary. Joe, go for the doctor; 1 believe the king is ill. 

(Joe goes off.) 

Nycteus. (Raising his head exclaims) : Antiope, my child, 
gone — gone. (He then falls in convulsions.) 

Enters Joe and the doctor. 

Mary. Doctor, the king has taken suddenly ill. 

Doctor. Yes, the old man looks very ill (he feels his pulse ; 
shaking his head , he says : ) Old man ,your end is near ; I can 
do nothing for you, you are going to die. If you have any- 
thing on your mind that you would like to do or say, do it in 
time. (He then goes off.) 

Kycteus. Yes, 1 know I'm going to die. Joe, come here. 
Go to Lycus, my brother, and tell him to come and lose no 
time, and tell him that I sent you to tell him that I'm going 
to die and my only desire is to see him. (Joe goes off.) 

Nycteus. Oh, my time is near, I can feel it coming. If I 
only live till Lycus comes. 

Enter Joe and Lycus. 

(Lycus rushes over to where Nycteus is seated ; he ex- 
claims:) Nycteus, my dear brother, have you sent for me. 

Nycteus. (Raising his head, exclaims:) Yes, Lycus, I 
sent for you to tell you that I'm going to die. Antiope, my 
only child, has left me and I care to live no longer. 

Lycus. What? Antiope gone? What has she done? 

Nycteus. (Trembling with horror) • W^hat has she done? 
Eloped with Epopeus, the king of Sicyon, and I must be 
avenged. 

Lycus, Yes, you must be avenged. 



The Punishment of Dirce. 11 

Nycteus. Lycus, I'll offer to ^ive you my crown and throne 
if you promise me that you'll punish Antiope and Epopeus. 

Lycus. Yes, 1 promise you by all the the gods above, if 
you promise to give me your crown and throne I'll punish 
Antiope and Epopeus. 

Scene Third. Lycus takes the Oath. 

Nycteus. Joe, call in my guards. (Joe goes off and re- 
turns shortly bringing with him the guards). 

Nycteus. (Is very weaii ; rising from his seat, he ex- 
claims :) 

Lycus, come here, kneel down (Nycteus taking his crown 
from his head exclaims:) Lycus, I now crown you king of 
Thebes. Now, Lycus, take my sword in your hand and swear 
aloud before all your men. 

Lycus. (Taking the sword in his hand, holding it up he 
exclaimed :) 

By all the gods above I swear. 

Nycetus. (Then falls back in his chair dead.) 

Curtain falls one Minute. Tableau — Lycus and his 
Men Off to Sicyon. 



ACT 3. 

SCENE 1. The Palace of Epopeus. 

SCENE 2 The Arrival at Sicyon. 

SCENE 3. The Fight. 

SCENE 4. The Mountains. 

SCENE 5. The Shepherd's Home. 

Scene 1. — Curtain Rises. 

Epopeus is seated in his chair, Antiope at his feet playing 
with her twin l)abies. 

Enters John. (One of the guards quite excited) : 

Oh — heavens — heavens, bless you both. 

Epopeus. What dost thou want? 

John. What dost I want? Come, come look through yonder 
hills. 

(Epopeus walks over to the door and looks.) 

John. Look, see'st thou not? hearestthou not the sound of 
the cannon? (sounds of warlike instruments are heard). 



12 A Drama. 

John. Look, 'tis Lyeus and his men coming to storm the 
palace and punish you both: 'tis the oath he took when 
Antiope's father made him king. 

(Sounds of warlike instruments are heard). 

Epopeiis. Ah — the villian robs me of my breath, but I'll 
fight him to the end ; go call together our men — quick, lose 
not a moment (Joe goes off). 

Antiope. My dear husband, is it possible? 

Upopeus. (Putting his arms around her) Antiope, my wife, 
it is, and now I will fight him to the end. 

Antiope. All my hopes are lost. 

Epopeus. But not mine. Ah, Antiope, my wife, to look 
into your eyes and gaze at my little babes gives me new 
strength and courage to conquer all for thee. (He then kisses 
her and the babes good-bye.) 

Enters John. 

(Followed by armed men ; sounds of warlike instruments 
are heard on the outside.) 

{Epopeus rushes to the front, he exclaims) : To arms, let's 
haste, forward men, victory or death ; (he then rushes out 
amid the clashing of arms and warlike instruments). 

SCENE 2. 

The arrival of Sicyon. yelling and shouting of soldiers are 
heard on the outside. 

SCENE 3. 

The fight. 

Yelling of soldiers and warlike instruments are heard on 
the outside; Epopeus gets killed, Lycus wins the victory. 
Antiope clings to her babes. 

Enters Lycus and his men. 

He exclaims, I will separate them forever, 'tis vengeance — 
vengeance alone I seek (pointing to his men), seize her. 

Antiope (falls at his feet and implores) — Pity ! pity! have 
mercy on me, see there in the cradle lie my innocent babes ; 
pity me. 



The Punishment of Dirce. 13 

Lycus. Enough ! (Point Id g over to the little cradle where 
the little ones sleep, he exclaims:) 

Take those brats and throw them out on the mountains for 
the crows to eat. (Two of the men go over and take the 
babes.) 

Antiope. (Rushes over to where her babes are. She ex- 
claim :s) 

No, no ! you shall not take my children from me. 

(They pull her away, snatch the little ones up and carry 
them off to the mountains.) 

Antiope. (Tries to hold them back. She then falls on her 
knees before Lycus and his men.) 

Mercy ! Mercy ! Have pity on me and my children. 

Lycus. Enough. (Pointing to his men, he exclaims:) 

Seize her ! 

Antiope. (On her knees implores:) Again I implore you 
all, husbands and fathers of children, have mercy! Mercy 
on me and my children. Is there not one of you here man 
enough to step forth and help me and my children? 

Lycus. (Pointing to his men.) 

Seize her. Fve enough of her nonsense. Bind her hands 
and feet and drag her along with us to Thebes, a prisoner. 

Antiope. (Walks over to where Lycus stands. She ex- 
claims :) Lycus, this punishment PU bear like a lion, but woe 
to you all if my time ever comes; and when it does, Lycus, 
you shall repay it with your own blood, drop — for — drop. 

Lycus. What! Seize her; bind her firmly, and drag her 
off. (She is then seized by armed men and dragged off.) 

Curtain Falls. 

Few Minutes Change of Scenery. 

Tableau. 

SCENE FOURTH. The Mountains. 

Daniel, the shepherd, is seeking his flock; he hears a voice 
of a baby crying; he looks and to his surprise, finds two 
little babies. 

Daniel. Hello! what do I hear, a baby crying; (he walks 
over and looks). What do I see before me, is it a dream? I 
can scarce believe my eyes. Ah, my heart throbs with joy. 
(He stoops down and picks them up.) Ah, don't cry, my 



14 A Drama. 

sweet little angels. I wonder who could have put them here, or 
where they came from? Well, this reminds me of the old 
song of a shepherd who went out one summer day and found 
two little babies on his way. I wonder if any one left them 
here? (He looks all around.) Ah, well, 1 don't see any one 
around here. I believe I will take them home to my wife, 
she'll be so happy to have two fine little babies like this. 
Ah, soon there will be two more shepherds in the mountains. 
(He then goes oif.) 

SCENE FIFTH. Interior of the Shepherd's Home. 

Daniel, the shepherd, is heard on the outside singing his 
favorite song (the song:) 

A shepherd on a summer day, 
Found two little babies on his way. 

Martha. Dear me, there he goes, singing that old song 
again, and he knows I don't like it. Oh, give me a rest, won't 
you? 

Daniel. (Knocks at the door.) Come on, Martha, open the 
door? 

Martha. Yes, I'll open it, but you must promise me you 
won't sing that song any more. 

Daniel. (Utters a loud, laugh; he then exclaims:) Ah, 
Martha, if you only knew what I found you wouldn't say that 
any more ! 

Martha. Well, if I open the door will you give it to me^ 

Danial. Yes, yes, I'll give them to you. 

Martha. (Opens the door and is quite surprised ; when he 
enters she exclaims:) Why, Daniel, whose babies are those? 

Daniel. (Taking a seat) I don't know; they're mine, 
now. 

Martha. Where did you get them? 

Daniel. I found them in the mountains. 

Martha. And all by themselves? 

Daniel. Yes, all alone; I was walking along singing my 
old song, you know, Martha, that one you don't like. 

Martha. Yes. 

Daniel. I heard them crying and went over to where they 
were ; I picked them up and looked all around ; there was no 
one to be seen or heard ; it then reminded me of my old 
song. 



The Punishment of Dirce. 15 

Martha. Yes, Daniel, you're right; I've always hated that 
song, but from to-day on I shall always love it, and sing it, 
too. 

Daniel. But what are we going to do with them! 

Martha. (Taking one of them in her arms exclaimed :) 

We're going to keep them and raise them and care for 
them as if they were our own. 

Daniel. Yes, one must be a shepherd. 

Martha. And one a soldier. 

End of Act 3. 

ACT 4. 
SCENE 1. The Arrival at Thebeh. 
(Yelling and shouting of soldiers are heard.) 

(Curtain rises.) 
SCENE 2. Palace of Lycus. 

Dirce is standing at the door waiting the arrival of her 
husband, Lycus, the king. 

(Lycus enters with his guards.) 

Dirce. (Throws her arms around his neck and kisses him; 
she then exclaims:) Ah, my dear husband, have you con- 
quered Epopeus? 

Lycus. Yes, and brought him to death, as Nycteus told 
me. My oath is now fulfilled and Nycteus is avenged. 

Dirce. But where is Antiope and her twins! 

Lycus. The twins ; I ordered them to be thrown out on the 
mountains for the crows to eat. I reckon, by this time, the 
buzzards have picked their bones. 

Dirce. Well, I hope so. I only wish I could have thrown 
them out myself. I would have choked them to death first. 

Lycus. Don't worry about them; I suppose they're dead 
enough by this time. 

Dirce. But where is Antiope ; what punishment have you 
given her? 

Lycus. Oh, she's out there ; we haven't punished her yet. 
We dragged her along with us so that she might witness all 
before she dies. 

Dirce. Yes; death would be too good for her. 

Lycus. Yes, but die she must. 



16 A Drama. 

Dirce. No, no ; do not kill her yet, you must first leave 
her to me, to have the pleasure of punishing her as I please. 

Lycus. All right (pointing to his men, he exclaimed:) 
bring her in. 

(They go out and come back shortly, bringing with them 
Antiope bound in chains.) 

Antiope. Help, help; release me, men of blood, what have 
I ever done you. 

Dirce. Ask me, I will answer. 

Antiope. Well, then, answer; what have I ever done to 
you or your men ? 

Dirce. What have you done? You have disgraced your 
father's name and caused his death, and he must be avenged. 

Antiope. What, I caused my father's death! 

Dirce. Yes. 

Antiope. ^ Woman, you lie. 

Dirce. Seize her, bind her more firmly and take her off, 
and cast her in the dungeon and leave her there so that I 
may have the pleasure of punishing her myself. (Antiope is 
seized by armed men and dragged off.) 

SCENE THIRD. The Dungeon. 

(An Elapse of Twenty Years.) 

The dungeon, on one side is a barred window, in the 
centre a door; a dim light is burning on the table. Antiope 
is lying on the floor bound in chains. 

Antiope. I've tried to sleep but I can not breathe here in 
this living tomb for twenty years ; I've suffered nothing but 
torture. Oh, would to heaven I were dead. If I could only 
escape from this dungeon, I would soon get on the outside of 
Thebes and then to the mountains where no one would ever 
find me. (She starts to weep and speaks of her children.) 
Oh, to think of those cold-hearted, bloodless villains, who 
snatched my innocent babes from my arms, and cast them in 
the wilderness; at times in the night, when I'm alone, I can 
imagine I hear them crying, or torn up by some wild animals. 
(She starts to weep bitterly.) Oh ! no, no, no ; I must not think 
I must only believe and trust in my God above to care for 
them, and that some day I will meet them in heaven. 

Dirce Enters. (She opens the door and goes in ; she gives 
Antiope a kick; she then exclaims) : Yes, some day, you will 



The Punishment of Djrce. 17 

meet them. Yes, who do you expect to meet, and where do 
you expect to meet them, you wretch you? 

Antiope. Yes, some day I expect to meet my children,' if 
not on earth, in heaven. 

Dirce. (Gives her a kick.) Curses be on you ; thou art hate- 
ful to my sight ; if I could only heap more punishment upon 
you, I would do it ; 'tis vengeance alone I seek ; yes, vengeance, 
vengeance. (She then goes off). 

Antiope. (Tries to get up, she manages to get on her 
knees). Oh! God, have pity on my soul; release me from 
this living tomb and send me somewhere far off, where no 
one will ever find me. 

Enters Dirce. (She opens the door and goes in and kicks her.) 

Antiope. (On her knees). Oh! thou art cruel and unjust 
to me ; what have I ever done you! have pity on me. 

Dirce. Away with you, thou art hateful to my sight. I — 
curse — you. (She then goes oft' and forgets to lock the door.) 

Antiope. (Falls on her knees and begs of her God for 
mercy). Oh ! God, father of heaven and earth, thy grace and 
pardon I implore; oh! pity me, my Lord most high ; thy 
name I love forever more; have mercy on me, oh, Lord; thy 
pity grant, oh, heavenly God, have mercy on me forever. 
Amen. (Just as she says Amen, the chains fall from her 
hands and feet, she rises upon her feet. She then exclaims) : 
At last my prayers are heard ; my God above has heard my 
prayers and helped me. Now, if I could only escape. (She 
walks over and feels the door and finds it open; she opens 
it and looks around; she sees no one; she exclaims:) I be- 
lieve my end is gained; joy now comes to my heart; seems as 
though heaven has opened its gates; I must now make my 
escape before anyone comes. (She picks up a few old rags 
and throws them around her. She then sneaks off and gets 
on the outside of Thebes. She then exclaims) : Free ! free ! 
I now go to the mountains for safety, and trust in my Al- 
miajhty God to help me. 

End of Act 4. 

ACT 5. 

SCENE 1. The Mountains — Showing Where Antiope 
Wanders About for Three Days, When She Meets 
Two Fine Young Men. 
Antiope. (x\lone.) If this lasts any longer I'll die of 



>RAMA. 

starvation, but rather than stay in that prison and be punished 
like that I would rather die. 

Amphiom and Zethus were listening ; when they had heard 
all what she had said, Zethus, the shepherd, blows his horn j 
they then walk over to where Antiope sat ; Antiope becomes 
frightened when she sees them, and falls on her knees before 
them and begs for them to pity her. Oh, pity me, I'm so 
hungry; I've been wandering in the mountains for three long 
days without anything to eat or drink. 

Zethus. Why, where did you come from, my good lady? 
(stretching out his hands to help her up). 

Antiope. Oh, believe me, my good sir, I'm a poor escaped 
prisoner, I've been torn away from my home and family. 

Amphiom. What, you torn away from your home and 
family! 

Antiope. Yes; come, let's sit down here on this rock and 
I'll tell you all. (They sit down ; Antiope relates her sad 
story.) 

Antiope. Twenty years ago I lived in the little city of 
Thebes ; my father was king, his name was Nycteus ; he had 
great ideas of what he was going to do with me ; one day he 
sent for me and told me that he had selected for me a hus- 
band — a man that I neither knew or loved. I told him I 
would not marry him ; he became very angry ; he then locked 
me up and punished me ; I then wrote to my sweetheart, the 
king of Sicyon, and told him all about it; he became very 
angry, and came that very night and took me away with him 
to Sicyon and married me ; we lived very happy together ; 
our union was blessed with two little twins — both boys. 
When my father found out that I had eloped with Epopeus, 
the king of Sicyon, he became so angry that it made him sick. 
The doctors told him he was going to die, so he sent for his 
brother Lycus, and told him he was going to die, because 1 
had been so mean to him, and that if he would give him a 
solemn promise to punish us he would give him his crown 
and throne. Lycus was glad to become king and took the 
offer. My father died shortly and Lycus became king ; he 
immediately started to make preparations and got together a 
large army and came to Sicyon. There was a big fight; 
Lycus won the victory. Tney killed my husband, tore my 
two little innocent babes from my arms and threw them out 
in the mountains for the crows to eat. They then bound me 



The Punishment of Dirce. 19 

in chains and dragged me off with them to Thebes, a prisoner ; 
when they arrived at Thebes, Lycus gave me to his wife, 
Dirce, to have the pleasure of punishing me as she pleased, 
and for twenty years, my good men, she has kept me a pris- 
oner locked up in chains. I've prayed to my God to help me 
to escape ; he has heard my prayer and helped me. 

Zethus. Well, my good lady, if you have no home, come 
home with us ; we will protect you. 

AmpJiiom. Yes, come home with us. I'm captain of the 
army. I have the power to protect you. (They get up and 
start off to their home.) 

Curtain falls, 40 seconds. 

Interior of the Shepherd's Home. 

SCENE SECOND. Amphiom and Zethus Enter With 

Antiope. 

Aynpliiom. Now, my good lady, take a seat by the fire, and 
don't be frightened; no one will ever dare to harm you in 
here. Zethus, you stay here with the poor lady while I go 
out and get something for her to eat. (Aside.) Oh, if I 
only knew who those cruel tyrants were I'd have them 
crushed to pieces. (He then goes off.) 

Enter Daniel (The Old Shepherd.) 

Daniel, Hello! What's this? 

Zethus. Father, this is a poor unhappy woman Amphiom 
and I found her w^andering in the mountains. We asked her 
where she came from. She told us that she had no home, 
and that she had been wandering in the mountains for three 
days. 

Daniel. What ! That poor lady wandered in the moun- 
tains for three days? 

Enter A3iphiom and Martha. 

(Martha has a cup of tea. She gives it to Antiope, say- 
ing) : Here, my good lady, is a cup of tea ; drink it. 

Antiope. (Takes the cup of tea and drinks. She then 
exclaims) : Madame, words could not express my heartfelt 
thanks to you all. 



20 A Drama. 

Martha. Oh, that's all right, my good lady; don't let 
that worry you ; all I now w^ant is for you to tell us where 
you came from, and how jom got lost in the mountains. 

Antiope. Ah, my good people, perhaps if I were to tell 
you where I came from you'd throw me out of your house. 
Oh, how I long to be dead and by my children. (She then 
starts to weep). 

Martha. Nay — nay, my dear lady, fear not ; tell me all. 

Antiope. Madam, I'm a poor escaped prisoner. 

Martha. (Quite surprised.) A prisoner? 

Antiope. (Relates her sad story to the shepherd and his 
wife. Amphiom and Zethus are sitting down on a bench 
listening.) 

Antiope. My good people, I'm a poor escaped prisoner. 
Twenty years ago I lived in the city of Thebes. My father 
was king. His name was Nycteus. He was very fond of 
me, and had great ideas of what he was going to do with me. 
He used to say that he meant to marry me to one of the 
greatest of kings. One day he called me and told me that he 
had selected for me a husband, and wanted me to marry him. 
He w^as a man I neither knew or loved. I told him no; he 
became very angry and threatened to punish me. I told him 
that before I'd marry that man I'd rather die. He then 
locked me up on bread and water. I then wrote to my sweet- 
heart, the king of Sicyon. He became very angry and came 
that very night and stole me away. When my father found 
ontthat I had eloped with the king of Sicyon he became so 
angry that it made him sick. The doctors told him he was 
going to die. He then sent for his brother, Lycus, and 
promised him his crown and throne if he would give him a 
solemn promise to punish me and my husband. Lycus was 
glad to become king and took the offer. My father died 
shortly and Lycus became king. He immediately made 
preparations and got together a large army and came to 
Sicyon. There was a big fight. Lycus won the victory. 
They killed my husband. They then entered the palace. I 
begged of them for mercy. They would not listen. They 
snatched my two little innocent babes from my arms and 
threw them out in the mountains for the crows to eat. They 
then bound me in chains and dragged me off with them, a 
prisoner. When they arrived at Thebes Lycus took me and 
gave me to his wife, Dirce, to have the pleasure of punishing 



The Punishment of Dirce. 21 

Tiie as she pleased. She then had me bound in chains and 
cast in a dungeon. (She then starts to weep). 

Daniel. Were your babies boys? 

Antiope. Yes ; t':rins. 

Daniel. And you say the cruel tyrants threw them in the 
mountains? 

Antiope. Yes. I heard Lycus when he told his men to 
take the brats aud throw them out on the mountains for the 
crows to eat. (She starts to weep.) 

Daniel. Weep not, my good lady, the crows have not 
eaten them yet ; they still live to avenge you. 

Martha. (Tapping her on the shoulder). Yes; they still 
live to avenge you. 

Antiope. What! My children still live? Where are 
they? 

Daniel. Yes. They still live and you now look upon 
them. (Pointing to where Amphiomand Zethus are seated.) 

Antiope. No ! No ! I can't believe it. Where did you 
find them? 

Daniel. I found them, one bright summer day; I went 
out to gather my flock ; I was walking along, I heard a baby 
crying; I looked, and to my surprise, I saw two little babes 
lying down on the cold rocks ; I looked all around, there was 
no one to be seen or heard, so I picked them up and brought 
them home with me, and there they are. 

Amphioni. Ah! Heavens, can that be possible? If it be 
so, I'll crush Lycus and Dirce to pieces; our father's blood 
shall be avenged ! 

Antiope. (Embracing her sons, exclaimed:) Ah, my dear 
sons, whom I've oft believed dead, still live to avenge me ! 

Zethus. Yes ! Mother, you may be assured we will avenge 
you ; 'tis vengeance alone we now seek ! 

Amphioni (becomes very angry). Mother, now 'tis our 
turn. We must and shall be avenged. Come, let's go call 
together our friends and soldiers and march to Thebes. 
Mother, thou shall be avenged. 

(Curtain falls.) 

Fnd of Act 5. 



22 A Drama. 

ACT 6. 

SCENE 1. Tableau — Off to Thebes. 

SCENE 2. The Arrival at Thebes. 

SCENE 3. The Palace. 

SCENE 4. The Fight. 

SCENE 5. Tableau. 

Scene First — (Tableau) — Amphiom and Zethus, with their 
Men, Off to Thebes. 

(Curtain falls — 2 minutes.) 

Sce7ie Second — Exterior. (The Arrival at Thebes. Sounds 
OF Warlike Instruments Are Heard on the Outside.) 

(Curtain rises.) 

Scene Third — The Palace of Lycus. 

Lycus is seated in bis cbair. 

Enters JacTi {one of the guards) quite excited. Heavens bless 
you, my lord. Come, see. 

Lycus. What's the trouble? (He gets up and looks.) 

Jacl'. What's the trouble? Come see, look yonder. 
Hearest thou not the sound of the cannon (sounds of warlike 
instruments are heard)? See, they are soldiers coming to 
storm the palace. 

Enters Dirce. Oh, my dear husband, what are we going to 
do? Quick — quick. Jack, go call together our men at once. 
Antiope, our escaped prisoner, has found her sons, and they 
now come to avenge their mother and claim the crown and 
throne as theirs, and we must fight. (Jack goes off.) 

Lycus. What! Aniiope found her children? 

Dirce. Yes. 

Enters Jack, 

Followed by armed men. 

Lycus. Come, my brave men, let's go and surround the 
palace, and when they come we'll fight them to the end. 
(They then go off.) 

SCENE 4. 

The tight. 

(Fighting is then heard on the outside, yelling of soldiers 
and sounds of warlike instruments are heard.) 



V;OfC. 



The Punishment of Djrce 23 

Tnff^^- ./^^^."^.^/^ ^^' '^ ^y^^^^ wins the victory a^ain, 
I'll have them killed at once. 

(Amphiom and Zethus enter the palace followed by armed 
men bringing with them Lycus a prisoner.) 

JDzrce. (Falls at the feet of Amphiom and Zethus and 
begs for mercy.) Mercy ! Mercy ! 

Amphiom. Now, we have you; are you that cruel, cold- 
hearted woman who locked our mother up in a dungeon for 
twenty years, and heat her and fed her on all sorts of vile 
things? 

Dirce. (On her knees). Mercy ! Mercy ! have pity on me. 
Amphiom. Yes, you now beg for mercy and pity from us 
but what mercy or pity have you shown to our dear mother 
and what wrong has she ever done you? ' 

Dirce. Mercy, Mercy, have pity on me, do not kill me ! 
Zethus. No, we will not kill you, but as much mercy as you 
have shown to our mother will now be shown to you and your 
husband, (pointing to his men he exclaimed:) I order Lj^cus 
to be taken off and beheaded at once, and as for the punish- 
ment of Dirce, Amphiom, I leave that to you. (Lycus is 
seized by armed men and taken off.) 
Dirce. Mercy ! mercy, have pity on me. 
Amphiom. (Pointing to his men he exclaims:) Seize her, 
take her off yonder to the wild bull pen, tie her by the hair 
to the tail of the wild bull and let him go, and let that be the 
punishment of Dirce. 

Dirce. (Screams) Help ! help. But she is seized by armed 
men and dragged off. (Amphiom and Zethus hasten up the 
stairs to the balcony and view the punishment.) 

Amphiom. See, they have her tied to the bull; they now 
let her go ; he runs, kicks and drags her through the streets. 
Zethus. (Looks.) Yes, Amphiom, look; he now has her 
against the tree, he gores and tramples her; see the bull runs 
off; look, she is dead, (yelling of the people are heard all the 
while.) 

Enters Antiope. (She rushes to her sons, arms ; they then 
exclaim :) Mother thou art avenged. 

(Curtain falls.) 
Scene Fifth. Tableau. 
(Showing where Amphiom and Zethus reign as kings, 
Antiope, their mother, is seated at their feet). 

THE END. 



9G0 



OF 



coJIgSss 




0A6 



112 



53A 



